Open to 18-25 year old “budding chefs” across the country, this year’s cook-off took place last Monday (22 January) and saw Mustafa take home the winning title after impressing judges with his Jerusalem artichoke and wild mushroom risotto.
He said: “It was great fun to take part in this competition, and I have learnt so much. It was great to get feedback on my dish from such prestigious judges and I am really looking forward to my prize of cooking with Michelin starred chefs Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini in Milan. It will be an honour and an amazing experience.”
Judge chef Paul Gayler (former executive chef at The Lanesborough) explained: “The judges felt (Mustafa’s) dish had all the hallmarks of a great classically prepared risotto - perfectly cooked al dente rice grains, rich and creamy in texture.
“The addition of the crispy croquettes added a nice textural contrast to the overall all-round dish by this young talented chef."
This year’s panel of judges also included: former Professional MasterChef finalist, Danilo Cortellini; head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Café, Davide Degiovanni; Fabio Pisani from the two-Michelin star restaurant Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia (Milan) as well as food director at Woman & Home magazine, Jane Curran and Bruce Langlands, head of food and hospitality at Selfridges.
Langlands added: “It’s really quite impressive seeing the technical and innovative way the young, talented chefs have taken a store cupboard ingredient and created something quite extraordinary – it was hard selecting a winner but the dish was quite outstanding.”
As well as enjoying an all expenses three-day trip to Milan to cook with Michelin starred Guida Gallo chefs, Mustafa’s recipe will also feature on Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Café menu for one week.